Title chasing Pillars seek Gombe Utd scalp
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- Category: Sports
- Written by Orkula Shaagee
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Today’s match is expected to serve as a warm-up to Nigerians who will be in Kano for the African Nations Cup Championship second leg match between Nigeria and Niger for tomorrow’s decisive international soccer duel.
Pillars drew bye to league action last week, following the involvement of their opponents Heartland in a CAF Champions League fixture against Tiko United of Douala.
Gombe are gradually climbing to the top of the league table, after a shaky start to the league. Last week, Gombe had the better of Gateway in Gombe, beating their hosts 1-0.
Coach Salisu Yusuf of Pillars told Trustsports that though he is not underrating Gombe United, he is already counting the three maximum points from the encounter to his kitty, as there will be no hiding place for the visitors today.
He said from now onward, Pillars is determine to get all points at stake to guarantee their place in the top spot if Enyimba who are currently occupying the position drop points in any of their remaining matches.
“From now onward every match is very important to us, and that is why we have resolved to collect every available points in the league for us to be sure of a place at the top”, Yusuf said in a telephone chat during the week.
In their first meeting in the first stanza of the league at the Abubakar Umar Memorial Stadium Gombe, the hosts ran away with a 2-0 victory and today’s tie will be stiff as Pillars, aside from striving to consolidate their position on the table, will be out for a revenge.
On their part, the Coach Haruna Garba boys would like to continue with their steady rise to the top of the table with shocking defeat against their hosts today.
Old war horse, Alhaji Kwairanga would lead Gombe’s assault and is expected to receive boost from another experienced marksman Bala Manu.
But the star studded Pillars side, with boost from the capacity home crowd will be hard nut for the visitors to crack.
Though Pillars will miss the services of leading league goal scorer Ahmed Musa who has been invited to the Eagles Team B camp, Solomon Okpako, Moses Ogaga and Gambo Mohammed will be available to give Gombe defence a lot to contain.
Apart from having one of the best attacking line in the country, Pillars also has a strong defence where Abdulwasiu Sowemimo will prove cover for goalkeeper Joel Afelo Theophilus.
From all indications, today’s duel would provide the fireworks, grit and all the characteristics of a high profile match could produce.
Alao today, Gateway of Abeokuta who lost 0-1 to Gombe last week will confront Ranch Bees of Kaduna at the MKO Abiola Stadium.
A match involving Bees and Gateway brings back memories of Abiola Babes and Ranchers Bees encounter in the 80s. A match involving the two teams then was clearly the start match of the week and we expect the two sides to keep to the tradition.
In Bauchi, Wikki Tourists will host Zamfara United in another all-Northern teams encounter.
Rangers who were shocked to a barren draw at home to Lobi Stars will try to make amends for the disappointment by going for all maximum points against host Bayelsa United in Yenogoa.
Enyimba who suffered a 0-2 loss in teh CAF Confederation Cup away to Angola’s Academica Petroleos de Kwanda will host Sharks of Port-Harcourt.
Lobi Stars of Makurdi basking in the excitement of a goalless away draw against Rangers International in Enugu last weekend will confront Ocean Boys in a battle that would see them move out of the relegation waters if they win the tie.
Articles
Title chasing Pillars seek Gombe Utd scalp
Category: Sports Written by Orkula Shaagee Hits: 710
Fireworks will return to the ancient city of Kano today as Kano Pillars play host to Gombe United in one of the matches lined up this weekend in the Nigeria Premier League.Today’s match is expected to serve as a warm-up to Nigerians who will be in Kano for the African Nations Cup Championship second leg match between Nigeria and Niger for tomorrow’s decisive international soccer duel.
Pillars drew bye to league action last week, following the involvement of their opponents Heartland in a CAF Champions League fixture against Tiko United of Douala.
Gombe are gradually climbing to the top of the league table, after a shaky start to the league. Last week, Gombe had the better of Gateway in Gombe, beating their hosts 1-0.
Coach Salisu Yusuf of Pillars told Trustsports that though he is not underrating Gombe United, he is already counting the three maximum points from the encounter to his kitty, as there will be no hiding place for the visitors today.
He said from now onward, Pillars is determine to get all points at stake to guarantee their place in the top spot if Enyimba who are currently occupying the position drop points in any of their remaining matches.
“From now onward every match is very important to us, and that is why we have resolved to collect every available points in the league for us to be sure of a place at the top”, Yusuf said in a telephone chat during the week.
In their first meeting in the first stanza of the league at the Abubakar Umar Memorial Stadium Gombe, the hosts ran away with a 2-0 victory and today’s tie will be stiff as Pillars, aside from striving to consolidate their position on the table, will be out for a revenge.
On their part, the Coach Haruna Garba boys would like to continue with their steady rise to the top of the table with shocking defeat against their hosts today.
Old war horse, Alhaji Kwairanga would lead Gombe’s assault and is expected to receive boost from another experienced marksman Bala Manu.
But the star studded Pillars side, with boost from the capacity home crowd will be hard nut for the visitors to crack.
Though Pillars will miss the services of leading league goal scorer Ahmed Musa who has been invited to the Eagles Team B camp, Solomon Okpako, Moses Ogaga and Gambo Mohammed will be available to give Gombe defence a lot to contain.
Apart from having one of the best attacking line in the country, Pillars also has a strong defence where Abdulwasiu Sowemimo will prove cover for goalkeeper Joel Afelo Theophilus.
From all indications, today’s duel would provide the fireworks, grit and all the characteristics of a high profile match could produce.
Alao today, Gateway of Abeokuta who lost 0-1 to Gombe last week will confront Ranch Bees of Kaduna at the MKO Abiola Stadium.
A match involving Bees and Gateway brings back memories of Abiola Babes and Ranchers Bees encounter in the 80s. A match involving the two teams then was clearly the start match of the week and we expect the two sides to keep to the tradition.
In Bauchi, Wikki Tourists will host Zamfara United in another all-Northern teams encounter.
Rangers who were shocked to a barren draw at home to Lobi Stars will try to make amends for the disappointment by going for all maximum points against host Bayelsa United in Yenogoa.
Enyimba who suffered a 0-2 loss in teh CAF Confederation Cup away to Angola’s Academica Petroleos de Kwanda will host Sharks of Port-Harcourt.
Lobi Stars of Makurdi basking in the excitement of a goalless away draw against Rangers International in Enugu last weekend will confront Ocean Boys in a battle that would see them move out of the relegation waters if they win the tie.